Gen. David Petraeus, then the NATO International Security Assistance Force commander, with Paula Broadwell, his biographer, in Afghanistan on July 13, 2011 in a handout photo. Lawmakers expressed concern Sunday over the lack of oversight into the inquiry that exposed an affair between Petraeus and Broadwell. (International Security Assistance Force NATO via The New York Times) less

Gen. David Petraeus, then the NATO International Security Assistance Force commander, with Paula Broadwell, his biographer, in Afghanistan on July 13, 2011 in a handout photo. Lawmakers expressed concern Sunday ... more

Photo: INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANC, New York Times

Image 2 of 3

In this July 18, 2011 file photo, Gen. David Petraeus salutes during a changing of command ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan. America's best-known general, is retiring as arguably the most consequential Army leader of his generation. After a farewell ceremony Wednesday, Petraeus will open a new chapter as director of the CIA. In that job he will try to keep up the pressure on al-Qaida and other terrorist groups, while working closely with the military he knows well. less

In this July 18, 2011 file photo, Gen. David Petraeus salutes during a changing of command ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan. America's best-known general, is retiring as arguably the most consequential Army ... more

Photo: Musadeq Sadeq, AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq

Image 3 of 3

With Stamford group, Petraeus calm and untroubled

1 / 3

Back to Gallery

STAMFORD -- Kay Maxwell was thrilled last Wednesday as she listened to CIA Director David Petraeus talk about Pakistan and Afghanistan during a World Affairs Councils of America event in Washington, D.C.

It was the general's birthday, and Maxwell said Petraeus told his audience of more than 200 that he had to wrap up early to get home for a family celebration.

The director of the Stamford-based World Affairs Forum said she was "shocked" when Petraeus suddenly resigned as CIA director two days later over an affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.

"It came as quite a surprise," Maxwell said. "He gave no hint at all. He said that day was his birthday and the program concluded early so he could get home for a birthday celebration. Probably his evening was different than he expected."

No one knows when Petraeus' wife, Holly, or their two children learned of the affair or his decision to quit as CIA director.

The general's Nov. 9 resignation is now top news around the world, and some are wondering if any national secrets passed between Petraeus and his lover. Members of Congress are demanding to know more details about the FBI's investigation into the affair.

A handful of Connecticut residents who attended the World Affairs Councils of America event Nov. 7 in Washington said Petraeus gave no indication of what was coming. He was all business, discussing Pakistan and Afghanistan with U.S. Special Envoy Mark Grossman. Before taking the CIA role, Petraeus led President Barack Obama's "surge" in Afghanistan, and his counter-insurgency strategy in Iraq was widely credited with stabilizing that nation after years of chaos and struggle followed the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.

"He spoke for about 40 minutes," said Megan Clark Torrey, program director for the Hartford-based World Affairs Council. "It was a conversation with Mark Grossman. I was traveling home when we heard the news about his resignation. I was quite shocked."

"This is something we never expected and quite frankly we are stunned, having hosted both the general and Holly Petraeus here in Hartford and having heard the general speak on Wednesday. Once again the World Affairs Council has a front row seat to history," Torrey said.

Asked if she thinks Petraeus' decision to resign as CIA director was appropriate, Torrey said, "I think he believes he did the right thing and that it was the only thing to do."

"It's sad," added Maxwell. "I had a lot of respect for him. We felt privileged to listen to him."

The World Affairs Councils of America is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S dedicated to educating and engaging Americans on global issues, with nearly 100 councils in 40 states.